The history of establishement of Christianity in Ibanda Sub- Region.

The history of establishement of Christianity in Ibanda Sub- Region.

  Rev. Can. George Nkoba who researched from UCU Mukono archives dates back to 1899, when Rev.  Apollo Kivebulaya went through Kashangura in Ibanda and planted a memorial tree, as a sign of establishing the Native Anglican Church (ANC). 

The first church was later established by Joseph Balikudembe, a Muganda from Salama in Mukono. In 1901, Rev. Herbert Clayton whom the Banyankore called "KIRINTONI" came to Ibanda from the Church Missionary Society (CMS) station in Mbarara and established the main church in Ibanda. Ibanda was the second church station in Ankole sub region after Mbarara.  

One of the most prominent Christians to be baptized in 1903 was Julia Kibubura, a former diviner of the King of Ankole. Julia Kibubura and 25 other readers travelled by foot to Mbarara for baptism. The first person to be baptized at Ibanda as per the old age records still kept intact at St. Paul COU, was Mr. Musororwa Philip by Rev. Nuwa Nakiwafu on 3rd March 1918. 

Julia Kibubura one of the first converts is perhaps the first high ranking woman political leader in Uganda since she became a sub county chief around 1904. Julia Kibubura's heroic act of holding the body of the slain British Acting Sub-Commissioner for Western Province in 1905 is told in Banyankore folk lore. It is said that a local man Rutaraka was hired to kill Galt who was accused of molesting Banyankore who used to carry him in a carriage from Mbarara to Ibanda on foot. The story goes that whenever he was travelling, his subjects would request to rest a bit and he would retort, "Mpaka Banda" literally meaning," No resting till we reach Ibanda."

Julia Kibubura was instrumental in the construction of the first church made of mud and wattle and which was later in 1970's to be replaced with the current St. Paul COU Ibanda on which Late Archbishop Luwum laid a foundation stone in 1976. The church was re-dedicated to God after major upgrade works were made, 

 St. Paul COU Pro- Cathedral is a marvel since the 1500 seater beautiful church is made of Kajjansi wall bricks and roof tiles! The hill on which Ibanda Pro-Cathedral stands derives its name from the word "Ibandura" meaning a place of traditional African worship. 

It is this hill that in 1901 became known as "MISANI", which was a pronounciation of the. English "Mission Station" to denote missionary activities that started there including the establishment of the renown Kibubura Girls S.S, named after Julia Kibubura.